The Government on Thursday released the final death toll in the Kollam temple tragedy to be 108, as opposed to the earlier figure of 114.
On Sunday, a fire broke out at the temple ground of Puttingal Devi temple at Paravur in Kollam, killing more than a hundred people and leaving many others injured.
VS Sivakumar, State Health Minister was quoted as saying by Malayala Manorama that “duplication in counting” was the reason for bringing down the earlier figure of 114.
“There was duplication in counting of names. Besides two persons who were killed in a road accident had also been listed among the tragedy victims,” he said.
The correction was made after a three-member Cabinet Sub-Committee conducted a review meeting with police, health department and other officials after visiting Paravur.
Kollam District Medical Officer Dr Jayasankar told PTI that there were 11 unidentified bodies in various hospitals and 21 missing persons, including two suspected to be from Rajasthan.